Mandatory Credit: Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
The Portland Trail Blazers are looking for a new head coach. Here are five candidates to replace Terry Stotts.
Back in April, a report surfaced suggesting Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts would be let go if the team didn’t make a deep playoff run. A fourth first-round exit in the last five years sealed the deal on Thursday night, because by Friday night, Stotts was out via a mutual agreement to part ways.
In nine seasons as Trail Blazers coach, Stotts had a 402-318 regular-season record. But a dismal playoff record (22-40) ultimately cost him, and with one more guaranteed year on his contract, the time for a change was coming. Stotts should be a candidate for other job openings, including the Orlando Magic job and the Indiana Pacers if they choose to let go of Nate Bjorkgren.
Along with the search for a new coach, the future of point guard Damian Lillard in Portland is a hot topic. He will, of course, have a significant say in who the next coach is, which may quickly quell trade speculation as others teams keep a close eye on the situation.
The Trail Blazers may move fairly quickly to get a new coach. Among a list that could grow longer, here are five candidates to replace Stotts.
5. Becky Hammon
It’s a matter of when, not if, Hammon will become an NBA head coach. After a legendary WNBA playing career, she has been an assistant under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs since 2014. She served as acting head coach early this season when Popovich was ejected from a game, becoming the first woman to do so.
The Boston Celtics are rumored to have interest in Hammon, and the Spurs may see her as Popovich’s eventual successor if she wants to wait for that job. But as the Trail Blazers enter their coaching search, they could poach Hammon from everyone.